Looks like a fish story to me
The AuSable River Valley boasts of its great fishing streams and rivers and folks come from all over to take a turn casting.

But this evening in the town of Keene the fishing scene is front and center in a relatively new gallery space in the Keene Arts building on Route 73.

Rachel Finn (left in cap with glasses)
 One of the featured artists is a renowned local guide by the name of Rachel Finn and she is here tonight to meet with her fans and folks out to take a look at the gallery space. This is the first time I am meeting Rachel though we have both been in the area for some time and live neighboring towns. She is friendly and down-to-earth and I hear from friends that she is an excellent guide. She talks freely about her work and fellow artist on display, Andrew Moore. The works of the third featured artist—Robert Prosek--are not up yet, so I’ll have to stop by again over the next couple of weeks to see how his work compliments the other two.

 

Great way to hang art
This opening evening, I recognize many local artists among the attendees. One of them comments to me that she loves how the space is open and free without frames.

 Malcolm MacDougall owns the Keene Arts building and what he has done with the space is amazing.  He and his wife are here this evening as well and I get to hear how they literally hung the show and how they intend to use the space throughout the summer season. The fly fishing exihibit will be up through July 21 and will be followed by a Jamaican poster exhibit. Gallery hours are 5 to 7 on Wed., Fri. and Sat. 

Malcolm encourages community use of the space and loves to see it filled. He is pleased that it has become something of a melting pot for the area. He tells me smilingly that on one movie night a gentleman told him that he had been living in the area fo 20 years and met people that night that he’d never knew lived here.

 

Keene Arts Building
The Arts building will be hosting music and movies this summer as well. The music will primarily be on Thursdays and will span a wide range of genres—from the classical strings of Meadowmount music school and the cool jazz of local musician Kevin Stolz to the sounds of Reggae during the Jamaican poster exhibit.

 The movies will be shown primarily on Wednesdays., Fridays, and Saturdays, with Wednesdays featuring movies for the young.

 To learn more about what’s happening at Keene Arts go to Keene Arts facebook page and to receive notifications about events like the fb page.

For more information on all the cultural events going on in the Lake Placid region this summer, click through to the web site.

Kathleen Recchia has been enjoying the arts in the Adirondacks for about 20 years—both as observer and participant (acting, directing, and producing). She also enjoys cross-country skiing, swimming, juggling, and hosting visitors to the area at her bed & breakfast in Jay.